Thousands Fill Klyde Warren Park for “Carmen” Simulcast

It was one of the greatest block parties I’ve ever seen. Hope you were there, too!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, October 28, 2013
Contact: Suzanne Calvin 214.443.1014 Or Megan Meister 214.443.1071
suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org megan.meister@dallasopera.org
THE DALLAS OPERA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
THE OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE ESTIMATE FOR
AN EVENING OF OPEN-AIR OPERA ON THE LAWN:
3,764 Patrons
Fill Klyde Warren Park to View
TDO’s Free Simulcast of Carmen!
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
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WITH SUPPORT FROM THE DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT

DALLAS, TX, OCTOBER 28, 2013 – The Dallas Opera, in partnership with Klyde Warren Park and with support from The Dallas Arts District, is delighted to announce the success of our first-ever artistic collaboration: a live simulcast of one of the most popular operas in the repertoire, Georges Bizet’s 1875 masterpiece, CARMEN, starring the gorgeous and gifted French mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine in her American debut!
The Klyde Warren Park Simulcast, the sixth simulcast presented by the Dallas Opera since 2010, enabled at least 3,764 patrons to enjoy an evening of spectacular entertainment, live from the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center!
According to Klyde Warren Park, which monitored the North and South entrances to the Park and conducted clicker counts from the end of the First Act until early in the Second Act, at least 3,764 people saw some portion of the live simulcast last Friday evening. Following the official count, anecdotal evidence from multiple sources indicated the crowd continued to grow.
Early attendees were treated to a silent film rarity, “Carmen Junior,” starring Baby Peggy Montgomery and a WB Classics Tom and Jerry cartoon – “Carmen Get It!” in addition to a Carmen Costume Contest and “Toreador Song Sing-a-Long” hosted by 102.9 Now Radio Personality Jagger and opera expert Dr. Stephen Dubberly.
Backstage interviews were conducted by WFAA’s Ron Corning and Colleen Coyle and views of the red carpet action at the Winspear, where FIRST NIGHT was in full-swing, also added to the sense of “being there.”
The curtain went up promptly at 8:00 p.m. and the crowd rose to its feet for the national anthem, conducted by Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, prior to the performance.

“One of my primary goals as head of the company continues to be discovering effective new ways to share this extraordinary art form with as broad an audience as possible, while building on an extensive network of collaborations within the Arts District—and beyond,” explained Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny.
“I was delighted, and staggered, to see the astonishing turnout we had last Friday for the first ever simulcast in Klyde Warren Park. This event proved, as if there were any doubts, that opera performed to the highest standard appeals to people of every age and background.
“We were pleased to work closely with our colleagues at Klyde Warren Park and the Dallas Arts District to make our vision for community engagement such an unqualified success!”

“Klyde Warren Park was conceived and designed for these types of activities—activities that bring the performing and visual arts to everyone. These programs help provide a way to promote and showcase art to those who may not otherwise experience these performances,” remarked Jody Grant, Chairman, Woodall Rogers Park Foundation.

Tara Green, President of Klyde Warren Park agreed: “The unique location of the Park, reconnecting our too-long-disconnected Downtown area to Uptown and the rest of the city, makes us especially conscious of our responsibility to serve all the people of Dallas. Our mission is to be a tremendous showcase—as well as a great green space—and productive collaborations with organizations like the Dallas Opera are key.
“We are so deeply grateful that Keith Cerny of the Dallas Opera approached us with this idea and we truly hope it will mark the first of many memorable and joyful collaborations to come!”

“I saw my dream come true with literally thousands of people in Klyde Warren Park watching an opera with rapt fascination,” said Sheila Grant, co-creator of the “Sheila and Jody Grant Opera Discovery” program.
“Families with their small well-behaved children had their eyes glued to the screen. Everyone was so happy: people were offering their chairs and blankets to complete strangers and offering them, wine and food as well.
“I have not been this thrilled or overjoyed since the opening of the Park. Thousands of patrons were clearly enjoying themselves immensely. For many, it was the chance of a lifetime to see a live performance with their families; people of every race, creed and age.
“While I personally can’t sing a note,” Sheila Grant added, “my heart will be singing for months because of this extraordinary evening.”

“All are welcome in the Dallas Arts District, which works to be inclusive and collaborative at every opportunity and continues to set new attendance records each year,” notes Dallas Arts District Executive Director Catherine Cuellar.
“Through this partnership with our stakeholders at The Dallas Opera and Klyde Warren Park, we are helping to cultivate the next generation of opera fans,” she added.
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CARMEN was sung in the original French, with English language translations projected above the stage and on the simulcast screen at Klyde Warren Park.
This performance and simulcast launched the Dallas Opera’s sixth production of CARMEN in our 56-year-history.
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Subscriptions for the Dallas Opera’s 2013-2014 “By Love Transformed” Season are on sale now, starting at just $76 for all four mainstage productions, through the Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or online at www.dallasopera.org. Single tickets start at just $19. Student Rush best-available tickets can be purchased at the lobby box office for $25 to $50, depending on the section, (one per valid Student I.D.) ninety minutes prior to each performance. All simulcasts are free of charge.

About The Dallas Arts District:

The Dallas Arts District is the largest arts district in the nation, spanning more than 73 acres and 19 contiguous blocks in the heart of downtown. With stunning architecture, including four buildings designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects, world-class exhibits and exemplary cultural programming, the Dallas Arts District has become the landmark that defines the heart of the city of Dallas.
Established in 2009 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization as the AT&T Performing Arts Center neared completion, today’s Dallas Arts District serves residents and patrons of the district, increasing awareness of and access to arts and the District. Operating under the umbrella of Downtown Dallas, Inc. as advocate, steward and representative, The Dallas Arts District serves stakeholders including the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Theater Center, Klyde Warren Park, Nasher Sculpture Center, The Dallas Opera, The Perot Museum of Nature & Science, Hall Financial, MetroArts Corporation and One Arts Plaza, among others.
The Dallas Arts District is funded by grants, voluntary membership dues, sponsorships and donations. To learn more about how you can help support your Dallas Arts District, visit www.dallasartsdistrict.org.
About Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park serves as a central gathering space for Dallas and its visitors to enjoy in the heart of the city. The 5.2-acre deck park, designed by the Office of James Burnett, creates an urban green space over the existing Woodall Rodgers Freeway between Pearl and St. Paul Streets in Downtown Dallas. The park includes a performance pavilion, restaurant, shaded walking paths, a dog park, a children’s park, great lawn, water features, and an area for games, providing year-round activities to all citizens of Dallas. Klyde Warren Park is privately operated and managed by the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
For more information on volunteering or donations, please visit www.KlydeWarrenPark.org or call 214-716-4500.

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EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “OCTOBER AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG AND CHECK THE CALENDAR LISTINGS

THE DALLAS OPERA WISHES TO EXPRESS ITS GRATITUDE TO OUR EXCLUSIVE PARTNERS:

AMERICAN AIRLINES – OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE DALLAS OPERA
LEXUS – OFFICIAL VEHICLE OF THE DALLAS OPERA

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Ticket Information for the 2013-2014 Dallas Opera Season

All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Subscriptions are now on sale to the general public, starting at just $76. Single Tickets starting at $19 and Flex Subscriptions are also on sale. Family performances are $5 (Family Performance Subs are $12 for three family performances) and are on sale now. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

THE DALLAS OPERA 2013-2014 SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Seventh International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired.

DALLAS OPERA FAMILY PERFORMANCES
Jack and the Beanstalk: October 26, 2013 and April 5, 2014
Family Concerts: November 3, 2013 and February 1, 2014
The Elixir of Love: November 9, 2013 and April 12, 2014

* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
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The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.

I concur with the above. It was a fantastic idea and a marvelous show. The atmosphere was excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would urge you to continue these events with other simulcasts. It will certainly bring more and more people to the opera.

Thank you for the “Carmen” simulcast at the deck park. Dogs, people, skyscrapers peering down, a beautiful night, and permission to hum (quietly), conduct (with restraint), and meet new opera lovers. And then … the opera. I did so like that Margaine’s Carmen was less the smoldering temptress and more the young flirty vixen. It was a spectacular night for me.

Please tell me there will be one for “Barber.” It is so accessible – these simulcasts outdoors will bring more and more people into opera. Thank you.